Intense, as an argument

HEATED

Think of how a debate might feel when emotions run high and tempers flare—this word also describes something warmed to a high degree.

The clue "Intense, as an argument" is a straightforward definition hinting at a word that describes a heated or fiery exchange. "Heated" fits perfectly because it literally means full of strong emotion or intensity, just like a spirited debate. There’s no wordplay here—it’s a direct synonym clue where the answer matches the meaning of the phrase. Think of how people say "things got heated" when tempers rise in a discussion.